Managing your research data

Research data management (RDM) means the storage, curation, preservation and provision of continuing access to analogue and digital research data. RDM is a way of codifying these research good practices in a way that can make it easier for you to conduct your research.

If you’re encountering RDM for the first time you will find many of the activities will be familiar to you. This includes activities such as:

creating backups of your work and controlling who has access to them

choosing file formats that can be opened easily in the future

describing methodology and keeping track of versions of files

This information can help you with all aspects of the data management process.

Guidance from EPSRC for funded researchers on the availability and accessibility of research data.

Support

We are always happy to help, for questions or support.

Individual advice on RDM is available.

Heather Lawler, the University’s Research Data Officer, is available for consultation on Data Management Plans, dataset deposition and to arrange individual or group RDM training. Email Heather: researchdata at warwick dot ac dot uk.

Deposit research data

Follow these instructions to deposit your research data into the Warwick Research Archive Portal.

Remember

Care and management of your data is an essential part of research good practice. Most funders and many academic institutions now have mandates to ensure that data is properly managed and, where possible, shared.

RDM news

AHRC Update - data management plans

From 29 March 2019, the Arts and Humanities Research Council requires that all proposals include a Data Management Plan (DMP). Previously, only proposals which contained a significant technical element required such a plan. Assistance in developing a DMP is available on our website, or by contacting researchdata at warwick dot ac dot uk.

BMJ Open Science supports sharing research data

In this tweet, BMJ add two more reasons (reproducibility, community pay to the ten provided. (May 2018)

Everyone needs a data management plan

Nature advises “Everyone needs a data management plan” in their persuasive editorial. It reports that many scientists are worryingly unprepared, but that there are huge benefits to be gained from preparing a Data Management Plan or DMP. (March 2018).